Space Legend: Resistance - Serial Story II: In With The Enemy

Space Legend

  - Resistance -

  Serial Stories

  II

  In With The Enemy

  First Draft

  Written By

  Brandon J. Wysocki

  Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved

  Cover Art By

  Vadin Sadovski

  With some elements furnished by NASA

  II

  It was dawn in Kelgar, the city was beginning to come to life, though that life was very different for the people of Gratuak under the reign of the Faalcomana. The citizens carried themselves in a meek manner, some of them were outright subservient. In truth, the humans were now second-class. Though at this point they were usually granted peace so long as they did nothing to disturb the Faalcomana, everyone knew that at any moment they might be subjected to searches or interrogations. Sometimes they were simply the victims of blatant abuse of power and bigotry.

  Though most humans did well to maintain as much of their existence as possible inside of what had informally become designated human zones, to best earn a living, many people had to try to integrate into the districts that the Faalcomana had claimed nearly exclusively as their own. Most of the economy now revolved around catering to the needs of the Faalcomana, or even working directly for them in a variety of ways. Occasionally that even went as far as selling oneself to the Faalcomana.

  However, in all of this, many humans in Kelgar had learned a new sense of community. They had to. In their ghettos, former inns and commercial buildings had been repurposed as shelters for those in need. In these times, many were in need.

  The citizens were oppressed and spiritually defeated; seldom did those grim circumstances slip the mind of anyone for even a moment. But they had become accustomed to this way of life over time, and it was certainly preferable to a direct conflict with the Faalcomana.

  As was customary, Faalcomana soldiers scoured the streets of Kelgar, searching for any sign of resistance as they continued to make their presence known. Jeccan’s ideals of fair treatment for the beings of Gratuak restricted the power of the Faalcomana, but did not remove it from them. They were allowed to detain suspected members of the Coalition, or any other potential threat, and handle direct confrontations with “appropriate” strength. The Faalcomana feared they were losing tabs on the ever growing Coalition. Though they had not tried anything major in more than a year, the pervading sense was that they were lying low only to conspire and amass a means to launch a more effective resistance.

  Six Faalcomana soldiers were walking together near the area in which the confrontation had occurred the evening before. They had walked this area many times through routine patrols such as this. To them the task had become monotonous, and so it was especially startling when they turned the corner to see four comrades lying dead. The two lead soldiers rushed to the bodies to see if things were as they appeared. The other four soldiers held their rifles in the ready position, covering the lead officers and scanning their surroundings. As the two soldiers came closer to them, it was readily apparent that the four were in fact dead. They both shook their heads at the sight. “Here’s one of the squads that failed to report in. I fear the others shared their fate,” the one officer said to the other, who responded by shaking his head. The other lead soldier then turned to the rest of the group and spoke.

  “Call for a shuttle. We must honor our fallen.” He then turned and spoke confidentially to his fellow lead soldier, “you know who did this.”

  General Tettarov had traveled to Wreithelosheve, the second planet conquered by the Faalcomana and currently governed by Jeccan, Fre’erik’s younger brother. He had quickly arranged a meeting with Jeccan in Sancharann, the capital city of Wreithelosheve’s large southern continent. The two would be gathering in the throne room of the palace of Sancharann, an impressive original monument of the native people retrofitted with advanced amenities by and for the Faalcomana.

  Jeccan, with traditional casual garb flowing over is figure, was standing in front of one of the many large windows in the room, awaiting Tettarov’s arrival. Jeccan, like Fre’erik, Tettarov, and many other higher-ranking Faalcomana, was larger than the average Faalcomana, although he was slightly smaller than Tettarov or Fre’erik. His slightly tan colored skin was noticeably softer and smoother than his brothers. His facial features in general were gentler than the fierce look of Fre’erik.

  The throne room door opened, drawing the attention of Jeccan, who turned to it and saw General Tettarov being escorted in by two Faalcomana guards. The fully armed and armored guards walked Tettarov into the room and proceeded to turn and exit the room after bowing their heads to Jeccan.

  “What brings me the pleasure of your company, General?” Jeccan said in kindly greeting Tettarov, though in their native tongue and deep voice, it hardly sounded as such. The two had many differences in opinions and principles, but they also had a great mutual respect for one another, as most Faalcomana did.

  “An urgent appeal, Lord Jeccan.” Jeccan could not help but grin at the comment. He immediately knew what that meant, rarely did Fre’erik or any other high ranking Faalcomana from Gratuak visit him for a purpose other than insisting that he act in agreement with them, namely in handling the humans whose planets they had seized control of. “I know we have presented our side to you on many occasions, but the situation is escalating. We must take action; however, we will not do so without your consent.”

  “I will never be a part of the slaughter of innocent beings.”

  “That’s not what we are asking.”

  “You can call it what you like, but from the beginning, Fre’erik has dealt wrongfully with the inhabitants of these worlds, and has always sought to eliminate them. Now, with this resistance, he is reaping the fruitage of his actions. I can only sympathize so much.”

  “You are not without opposition from the beings either, my lord; surely you do not believe Fre‘erik has brought this all on himself?”

  “Some opposition is inevitable, but Fre’erik has antagonized these beings from the start, making the conflict worse than it had to be.”

  “There should be no conflict, we should have demonstrated long ago that any defiance was futile!”

  “Our invasion sufficiently demonstrated that. These ones are not fighting us because they believe they have a chance to defeat us, they are doing it because they believe they have no choice. That belief is a direct result of Fre’erik’s dealings with them.”

  “Your alternative approach has not generated the desired difference in their disposition. How can you account for that?”

  “Even my ways are drastically different from their former ways. It will take time for them to adjust.”

  “You will stand by that even as Faalcomana are losing their lives?”

  “The proposed alternative of annihilation is unacceptable. I wish the situation was different, however this is what it is. We must maintain a moral course and bring honor upon the Faalcomana and our ancestors.”

  “By restricting the use of our power, you are bringing death upon the Faalcomana! Your actions and your relations with that girl are on the edge of treachery!”

  “Remember your role, General!” Jeccan sternly snapped back. Tettarov immediately composed himself and humbly bowed his head to Jeccan. He then continued talking, however now he spoke in a much calmer manner.

  “I’m sorry. But we cannot continue to be on the defense, we cannot let our own actions lead to our demise, as it did our ancestors.” Jeccan, already angered by Tettarov’s bold words just
a moment earlier, was not in the mood to humor his dogmatic assertion.

  “Were you there when that happened?” he said pausing briefing to let him consider the question. “You use ancient tales as the justification for violence.  Did you witness our kindness causing our downfall? Were you there when our wise forefathers called for the destruction of any race that could ever possibly stand against us?  This conflict has been predicated on twisted truths, or perhaps blatant lies,” he said in condemnation.

  Tettarov was angered by Jeccan’s reply, but he did not wish to be responsible for any increased tension between himself and Jeccan, so he responded with a measured response. “It is disappointing that you question the history of our kind. It is all that we have left with which to remember and honor them.”